Review by Booklist Review
Between the tea parties, community car washes, and prim pink uniforms, Ladybird Scouts seem the very definition of decorum, and this provides them the perfect cover for their true (top-secret) purpose: hunting monsters, aka grubs. Invisible to most, grubs feed on excessive emotions until they grow big enough to start snacking on humans, so scouts--who can see these monsters, either from birth or after drinking the Ladybirds' special tea--keep their communities safe by patrolling for and hunting grubs. Three years ago, Prudence was setting Ladybird records and itching to take on Carnivore-class grubs with her sister scouts. But then one such grub killed Pru's best friend, and she swore off scouting forever. Or so she thought. Now 16, Pru has been roped into training a few new scouts by her mother and her tía, both high-ranking Ladybirds--her panic attacks and PTSD be damned. Lovable characters and imaginative details surround Pru as what begins as a lousy summer job becomes fulfilling work that unexpectedly helps her healing process and fosters new friendships. Anderson (Undead Girl Gang, 2018) has written a ridiculously fun and campy horror romp, which also incorporates thoughtful commentary about mental and emotional health, inclusion, and facing your fears. Hand to fans of Christian McKay Heidicker's Attack of the 50 Foot Wallflower (2018) and Destiny Soria's Fire with Fire (2021).
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ladybird Scouts may portray themselves as community-minded young women with a fondness for tea parties and pastel colors, but in truth, they're also warriors who covertly protect the world from interdimensional monsters that most folks can't see. Critter-class mulligrubs are drawn to the mortal realm by intense emotions, which they gorge upon before transforming into Carnivore-stage people-eaters. Prudence Perry--a half--Puerto Rican, half-white 16-year-old from Northern California--was a third-generation Ladybird until three years ago, when she quit after her best friend died during a hunt. Physically scarred and living with an anxiety disorder and PTSD, Prue now spends her free time with a group of lovable "civilian" misfits--or at least, she did, until she broke curfew. As punishment, Prue must either transfer to an all-girls private school, or dust off her daggers and devote her summer to training new Scouts. Anderson (The Throwback List) deftly balances snarky humor and heart-thumping action with affecting discussions about friendship, inclusivity, and mental health. The surprise-studded plot seamlessly integrates both Anderson's clever, unique mythology and excerpts from the Ladybird Handbook, and the realistically rendered, intersectionally diverse cast is kind, charismatic, and full of moxie. Ages 14--up. Agent: Laura Zats, Headwater Literary. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--Prudence Perry, 16, is a third generation Ladybird Scout. She has spent plenty of time doing her share of community service and earning badges through crafts and baking; however, she has also spent a fair amount of time slaying mulligrub monsters before her best friend was killed by one. Prudence is recruited to train a new group of Ladybirds in the art of taking down these dangerous creatures that feed on anger and sadness and are running rampant around the northern area of California. This campy novel is original and funny with adventurous and likeable characters who play off each other with ease despite their personality differences. The connection that the main character makes with the new recruits is heartwarming and real. The creatures are descriptive and readers will enjoy the teen angst and Prudence's keen decision-making. Not only does this novel deliver adventure and good deeds but also a good dose of pop culture with many references throughout. Characters are of various ethnicities and race and the main character, Prudence, is white and Puerto Rican. VERDICT Fans of Stranger Things will dig into this comedic horror novel.--Karen Alexander
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Typical Ladybird Scout activities: knitting, baking, white-gloved tea parties--and slaying invisible monsters. Anderson pits a squad of preteen Northern California trainees and their 16-year-old instructor, Prudence, against mulligrubs--gross, sometimes-dangerous creatures only Ladybirds or, sometimes, their descendants can see that are drawn to this dimension to intensify and feed on anger, sadness, fear, and other feelings. Pru, who has PTSD and quit the Scouts three years ago after her closest circle mate was eaten, has been railroaded by her Ladybird Dame mom into filling in the latest batch of bright-eyed recruits on the basics of martial arts and proper deportment. As she leads them through projects ranging from rooting a toxic Nock Jaw out of a working fun house to setting up a free car wash, she reluctantly finds herself bonding with them. A climactic nighttime graveyard battle with a huge mulligrub eager to feast on her terror and anxieties brings her to the cusp of a decision. The metaphorical level is there for readers inclined to dig for it, but they, particularly the Buffy fans among them, will be better off reveling in the whirl of teen angst and ichor-spattered fun. Led by Pru, who is White and Puerto Rican, and her BFF Sasha "the Beast" Nezhad, cued as Persian, the cast displays an effervescent mix of racial and ethnic identities and character types from meek to (truly) mean girl. Anyone with a yen for community service, particularly the martial sort, will be hot to sign up. (Fantasy. 13-17) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
